How to Think Differently No Longer Lonely at the Top: A Growing Number of Nonprofits Hire Co-CEOs October 23, 2023 In the News The Chronicle of Philanthropy article No Longer Lonely at the Top: A Growing Number of Nonprofits Hire Co-CEOs, by Ben Gose, featured commentary from Isaacson, Miller President and CEO Ericka Miller. Find excertps of the article below.-The role of a nonprofit CEO has grown increasingly complex, making it challenging to find a single individual with the full range of required skills: CEOs are expected to be thought leaders, adept fundraisers, skilled at managing remote and hybrid teams and environments, proficient in social media, and committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion.Ericka, on behalf of Isaacson, Miller, suggests that hiring the best single candidate and building a strong executive team around them is often the best approach and can help to ensure that all of the expectations for the CEO are met. It can be challenging for co-CEOs to align fully; the model can lead to slower decision-making, and differences of opinion can result in potential confusion among staff and donors.Overall, nonprofits are exploring this shared leadership model as a way to navigate a changing landscape, attract leaders with diverse backgrounds and experiences, and adapt to the evolving needs of their organizations. While there are benefits and challenges associated with the co-CEO approach, its success ultimately depends on clarity of roles and expectations, as well as the organization's specific goals and circumstances.To read the full article, click here.
